Radiator cap



Jan. 8, 1929.

H. J. MESCHER RADIATOR CAP.

Filed April 6, 1926 Patented Jan. 8, 1929.

entree stares 'HENRY J. ME SGHLEB, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

Leeann rice. I

a re

RADIATOR car.

Application filed A ril's,

I parts a pawl and ratchet connection. of a very simple but highly efficient type which will cause the two parts to be rotated together in one direction but will permit one of the parts to rotate in a reverse direction independently of the first mentioned part.

A further object of the invention is to provide such aradiator cap with a gravity operated floating pawl of a very simple 1 nexpensive type which will be positive in its operation.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the device is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, of a radiator cap embodying my invention; Fig. 2 1s a front elevation, partly broken away, of such a cap; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of such a cap partially broken away to show the pawl and ratchet connection; Fig. 4 is a plan view of that portion of the cap which is connected with the radiator; and-Fig. 5 is a plan view of the collar.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention and have shown the radiator cap as comprising three parts, to wit; an inner or connecting part 1, a rotatable part of collar 2 mounted on the part 1 and a closure 3. The inner part 1 is tubular in form and is provided, in the present instance, with internal screw threads by means of which it may be screwed onto the filling pipe of the radiator. The upper portion of this tubular member has in its outer wall a circumferential channel 1, the lower wall 5 of which constitutes a shoulder and has formed therein a tapered recess 6, the forward wall of which constitutes in eifecta ratchet tooth.

The collar 2 extends about the upper portion of the tubular member 1 and has a circumferential rib 7 which extends into the channel 4 of the tubular member and serves to permanently but rotatably connect the collar with the tubular member. The two parts may be assembled in any suitable 1926. Serial No. 100,160.

manner, as by swedging the upper flange of the channel t into a position above the rib 7. The collar 2 is provided with a recess overlying the shoulder 5 and this recess preferably in the form of a slot 8 formed in the rib 7 and arranged at a slight angle to the 1 vertical. Loosely confined within the slot 8 of the rib 7 is a floating pawl 9, the lower edge of which rests upon the shoulder 5.;

Tliis pawl is freely movable within the recess 8 and as the collar is rotated on the tubular member the pawl will rideover the upper surface of the shoulder 5 until it is brought into line-with the recess .6 and .it will then drop into'that recess. by gravity.

When the pawl has entered the recess in the shoulder the forward endof the pawl will engage the forward wall of the recess 6 in the shoulder and the rear end of the pawl will be engaged by the rear wall of the re cess 8 in the collar, thus causing the tubular 7 between the end thereof and the wall of the recess. In the present instance, the collar is provided with laterally extending bars 10 which are convenient but not necessary for the rotation of the collar.

The closure 3 is carried by the collar and, as here shown, has rearwardly extending pivot lugs 11 which embrace a pivot lug 12 rigidly secured to the collar and are connectecl therewith by means of a pivot pin 13.

The closure 3 also has, at its forward edge, pivot lugs 18, between: which is pivotally mounted a latch 15 whichis movable into and out of a. position between two lugs 16 rigidly secured to the collar and having their 'lower edges slightly recessed. The latch bar has laterally extending pins or lugs 17 arranged to engage beneath the lugs 16 and retain the latch in locking position. Preferably the pins 17 are arranged out of line with the axis of the latch so as to have a cam action on the recessed lower edge thereof to firmly retain the closure inits closed position.

The operation of the device will be readily understood and it will be apparent that when the cap TlS lZQ be attached to the radiator the collar is rotated in a forward direction, thus causing the tubular connecting member to be rotated therewith .and permitting the same to be screwed onto the filling pipe.

When the collar is rotated in a reverse direction it will rotate freely with relation to the connecting member and the latter cannot be removed by this reverse rotation of the collar, but only by the application thereto of'a suitable tool. simple character consisting merely, in the present instance, of a rectangular block of metal loosely confined in the recess in the collar and resting by gravity on the shoulder of the connecting member. Thus the pawl and ratchet connection is very in expensive-of construction and is positive in its operation.

WVhile' I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I wish it to g be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modificatlons may occur to a person skilled "in the art.

The pawl is of a very the filling pipe of a radiator and having a circumferential channel, the lower wall of,

bular member, said rib having an inclined slot in the inner edge thereof, a rectangular block of metal loosely confined within said slot, resting upon the lowerwall of said channel and adapted to enter the recess in said lower wall.

2. In a radiator cap, [a tubular member having means to attach thesame to the filling pipe of a radiator and having a circumferential channel, the lower Wall of which has a recess. therein, a collar extending about said member and having a rib extending into said channel to rotatably connect said collar with said member, said rib havingia recess extending transversely thereto, .anda pawl comprising a block of metal loosely supported in the recess in said rib, controlled solely by gravity, and having its lower edge-resting upon the'lower wall of the channel. 7 I p In testimony whereof, I aifix my signature hereto. I

HENRY J. MESGHELR. 

